we'll be there with combat forces until 2014 and then for some period thereafter, the united states, maybe 10 years, helping the afghan forces do the job for themselves. it is important to show people that we didn't just cut and run after the fundamental defeat of al-qaeda and the taliban, but peter, will we see that kind of unity coming out of the summit? >> the summit has a habit of bringing a level of unanimity. it will keep the focus on accomplishing the mission on the ground and not generate into a rush for the exit. so i think things are on track to do that but it is important to keep that focus. >> when you talk about the exits, you can't help but think of sarkozy's decision to move with the draw dates of 2013 and now you have illan who is going to be inaugurated who said we should leave at the end of 2012, a year earlier. how does that complicate the situation and does that put france in the position of being a spoiler again? >> i don't think so. it is just one country among 28 to begin with. secondly, we don't know what the new french president will really do now that he is